The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-04-20
Agricultural.
North Poinfret, VT.
Experience with Fodder.CO

Mr.. Edtor:-For years I have raised corn
to feed green to cows when the grass began
to fail in the pastures. For awhile | followed
the practice of most farmers and sowed
broadcast, upon well-prepared ground, the
large western and southern kinds. Some
times | would get very heavy growth
of fodder and again 1t would be small and
uneven The large growth would be very
apt to lodge, and it cost good deal of la
Dor to either cut and feed green or cure.
There would be no ears to speak of, and
the fodder was not as good as could be de-
sired to feed for the production of milk.
Four years ago | commenced to pursue a
different method Instead of sowing the
western corn | planted what is known as
the Sanford corn. This is an eight-rowed
white corn, with large kernels on a small
cob 1t is much sweeter than the common
kinds of field corn, is thrifty and grows to a
good size-large enough to handle well.
have planted on greensward in rows three
feet apart and hills two feet. No manure
has been used, only tablespoonful of
Buffalo phosphate in the hill-equal, per-
haps, to three hundred fifty pounds to the
acre. Have only cultivated and hand
hoed once. Twice would have been better.
The result has been very satisfactory, the
growth being large and fine, with fair
proportion of ears. Have cured a considera-
BILE quantity for late fall and winter use.
This crop can be as readily cut up and
cured as common field corn, only that there
is more of it to handle on the same land.
Al.
stored in a NOW in alternate layers of
straw and keep well. This makes excel
lent fodder when green and is better for
milk when cured than good hay. The seed
corn should be put in with a horse-planter
that will distribute the fertilizer at the
same time, and the first cultivating done
with a smoothing harrow, thus reducing
the cost. consider this the most profit
able crop that | can raise, considering the
cost and think that others will find it the
same. Much of the land that | have de-
voted to the crop was in ordinary condition
and would have borne but small amount
of grass if it had not been plowed. The
quantity of fodder obtained would be sew
eral times that of the hay and of better
quality. There should not be too many
stalks in hill, as it is desirable to have a
good proportion of ears, which adds much
to its value. Perhaps some might prefer to
plant in drills. About one-haf bushel of
seed is required for an acre. while it would
need three bushels when sown broadcast
attribute part of my success to the Guilt
walton of the crop and must grant the rest
to the variety of corn planted and the fer
tilizer used. Truly yours,
E. r. Towle, Franklin, VT.
We fully concur with Brother Towle
as to the Importance and profit of the
fodder-corn crop and as to the excel
lence of the Sanford corn. We much
prefer planting in drills and having the
stalks stand about a foot apart in the
rows. In this way it can be planted
with planter, and in cultivating the
hoe can be run nearer each stalk
Sanford corn, being so much sweeter
than the common kinds, is not as good
for ensiling in the present methods,
which allow fermentation to 90 on to
the acetic point, as the more sugar
there is in the fodder when it is cut
the more vinegar it contains, or rather
the stronger and sharper will it be. We
firmly believe that corn in its various
forms will be more largely used, and
of course its cultivation gradually and
largely increase. Many thanks, Brother
Towle, for your remarks. Do so some
more. BY the way, our Sanford corn
did not mature enough for seed last
year. Where can we get some?